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O1 Tool Steel Precision Ground Flat Bar 5/32" x 2-1/2" (3ft bar)

$24.16 Per Length
3ft Length O1 Grade
In Stock
Tax and shipping calculated at checkout.
Thickness
0.16 in"
Width
2.5 in"
Material
Tool Steel
Shape
Flat Bar
Weight
6 lb/length
Ships next business day Secure checkout Pickup available
Specifications
MaterialTool Steel
ShapeFlat Bar
AlloyO1
Thickness0.16 in"
Width2.5 in"
Length3 ft (36")
Weight6 lb/length
SurfacePrecision Ground
MTRAvailable Upon Request
Characteristics
WeldabilityNot Recommended
MachiningExcellent
Bending/FormingPoor
Wear ResistanceExcellent
CorrosionPoor
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Description

O1 Tool Steel Precision Ground Flat Bar — 5/32" thick × 2-1/2" wide, sold in standard 3-foot lengths.

O1 is an oil-hardening tool steel known for minimal distortion during heat treatment. With excellent machinability in the annealed state and outstanding wear resistance when hardened, it's the go-to choice for precision flat stock applications.

Common Applications

  • Die plates and wear plates
  • Blanking and forming dies
  • Precision shims and spacers
  • Machine knives and blades
  • Custom knife making (blade stock)
  • Jig and fixture components

Key Properties

  • Grade: O1 (Oil-Hardening)
  • Finish: Precision Ground (PG)
  • Hardness (annealed): ~217 HB
  • Hardness (heat treated): 60–65 HRC
  • Tolerance: ±0.001" thickness
  • Standard length: 3 ft (36")
From the counter

About O1 tool steel

O1 is an oil-hardening tool steel, about 0.9% carbon, that you buy soft, shape, then harden in your own shop to the low 60s HRC with a warm oil quench. It's the classic steel for first knives, punches, and one-off dies because it forgives: it hardens in plain oil instead of a violent water quench, and it moves very little doing it. We stock it as precision-ground drill rod and ground flat bar in 3 ft bars.

Read the full O1 tool steel guide
Why do knife makers start with O1?
Because it forgives. It hardens fully in warm oil, a gentle ride for a thin blade, and it arrives annealed and ground so you can build a knife with a file and a drill press. A 60-62 HRC O1 blade holds a keen edge and teaches heat treating without burning an expensive billet.
How do you harden O1?
Heat to about 1475-1500F, soak, quench in warm oil, and temper right away. Most blades land at 60-62 HRC with a 350-400F temper. Test a coupon from the same bar rather than trusting a chart, since your kiln and oil are their own experiment.